Time-switch



Filed Nov. 13. 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l I M N INVENTORS Otto Bi-agitmllful-Z Bauer-2e 81411-7? f 7 I ATTOENEYa' Aug. 7, 1956 o. BRAITSCH ET AL2,758,165

TIME-SWITCH Filed Nov. 15, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR;

Aug- 7, 195 o. BRAITSCH ETAL 2,758,155

TIME-SWITCH Filed Nov. 15, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 VENTOR:

ATTORNEYS Aug. 7, 1956 o. BRAITSCH ET AL 2,758,165

TIME-SWITCH Filed Nov. 13, 1952 5 SheetsSheet 5 INVENTOR' 0771)BRA/7156f? M -Kz/Rr .BAuERLE BY w. /"7ATT0 E United States PatentTIME-SWITCH Otto Braitsch, Schramberg, Schwarzwald, and Kurt Biiuerle,Schramberg-Sulgen, Germany, assignors to 'Gebruder Junghans A. G.,'Schramberg, Schwarzwald, Germany Application November 13, 1952, SerialNo. 320,168 Claim priority, application Germany November 14, 1951 8Claims. (Cl. 200-35) Time-switches of the plug-in type are known whichhave a running time up to 12 hours. However, in the known constructionalforms, there is usually provided a knob for winding the clock mechanismand a further handle for tensioning the switch springs which serve forthe automatic throwing of the tumbler switch incorporated in the timeswitch.

In contrast thereto, the invention provides an arrangement with a singleoperating handle in order to effect the following operations:

1. Tensioning of the switch spring provided in the time switch forthrowing the tumbler switch,

2. Winding the clock-work spring driving the clock mechanism,

3. Setting the desired running period of the time switch, after therunning-down of which the switching operations are to be effected by thetime switch.

This is effected in such manner that in turning the winding handle fromits rest position, there is first of all effected the tensioning of theswitch spring, the winding of the clock mechanism and the other settingswhich have been mentioned being effected in the continued turningmovement. The arrangement is preferably such that simultaneously withthe setting of the hands, the spring of the clock mechanism is tensionedto an extent which is just suflicient for the running of the clockmechanism beyond the required time period. For this purpose, the windinghandle, the spring core of the clock spring secured at one end to thetime switch casing and also the hands and the hour wheel have a fixedengagement condition. However, a friction clutch is provided between theminute shaft of the clock mechanism and other wheels of the latter. Inorder to render it possible for the switch spring to be tensioned beforeWinding the clock-work spring, the winding handle is expediently securedto a bushing which is coupled by way of a spring clutch with the shafteffecting the tensioning of the clockwork spring. Therefore, uponturning the winding handle from its rest position, first of all only thebushing is rotated, which effects the tensioning of the switch spring bymeans of a cam disc, and it is only when this has taken place that theshaft effecting the winding of the spring of the clock-work mechanism isdriven.

constructional examples of a time switch according to the invention areshown in the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 shows the time-switch in section taken through the axis ofsymmetry of the time switch casing,

Figure 2 is a section in a plane disposed parallel to the dial plate andextending along the straight line MM in Figure 1, seen from the rearside of the time switch,

Figures 3 and 4 are sections arranged in the same manner as Figure 2,but taken along the straight line N-N of Figure l, and seen from thefront,

Figure 5 is a detailed view relating to the constructional form of theretaining means for the driving knob,

Figures 6 and 7 show the contacts and the contact levers in theuntensioned position on a second constructional example, as seen fromthe rear and front of the clock mechanism,

Figures 8 and 9 show the essential parts of Figures 6 and 7 during thetensioning operation,

Figures 10 and 11 show the essential parts of Figures 6 and 7 in thetensioned postion,

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the essential clockwork parts andcontact parts, partially in section, and

Figures 13 and 14 are detailed views of the switch roller.

The following is to be premised concerning the function of thetime-switch constructed in accordance with the invention (see Figures 1to 5):

Essentially three operations are to be considered for th purpose of theinvention:

Firstly, the tensioning of the switch spring 12 operating the tumblerswitch provided in the time-switch;

Secondly, the winding of the clock-work spring 13 driving the timeswitch mechanism; and

Thirdly, the setting of the clock mechanism to the desired running time.

All three of these operations are effected by the operating knob 6, thisbeing effected by the fact that initially the switch spring 12 istensioned upon turning the winding knob 6 in a clockwise direction. Ifthis is effected by turning the winding knob through about 60, then withfurther turning of the knob 6, the clockwork spring 13 is wound at thesame time and the hands and the release device which is coupled with thelatter and which is similar as regards its'method of operation to thealarm arrangement of an ordinary alarm clock, are adjusted. Thisshifting mechanism is more fully described with reference to Figures 3and 4 and its peculiarity of which consists in the cooperation of thepin 15 arranged on the hour wheel 14 with the locking lever 16. For thewinding and setting operation of the time-switch, care must be takenthat the clockwork mechanism of the time-switch is only wound to such anextent as is necessary for the desired running time of the time-switch;in this way therefore, the operation of setting the running time and ofwinding the clockwork spring are combined in one operation.

The following is to be stated as regards the details of construction ofthe time-switch according to the invention:

In Figure 1, 1 and 2 represent the casing of the timeswitch said casingconsisting of two half shell structures. Located in a recess in thefront half shell is the dial plate 3 over which the minute hand 4 andthe hour hand 5 move. The operating knob 6, which serves for tensioningthe switch spring, for winding the clock mechanism and setting therunning time, is also arranged on the front shell 2. One of the two plugpins which are arranged on the rear of the switch casing and which servefor introducing the switch into a conventional plug socket, can be seenat 7. For the connection of the electrical appliances, there areprovided two pairs of plug sockets 8, 9 and 10, 11; of these sockets,the pair 8, 9 ensures that the connected appliance only receives voltagewhen the clock mechanism has run down; on the contrary, the pair 10, 11ensures that the connected appliance receives voltage until the clockmechanism has run down. Consequently, considered chronologically, acomplementary switching process takes place at the pairs of sockets 8, 9and 10, 11.

In a manner more fully to be explained hereafter, the winding knob 6only sets the shaft 17 in rotation when it has been turned through about60 from its rest position. This shaft 17, by means of the gear wheel 18,rotates the spring wheel 20 secured to the spring core 19. The outer endof the clockwork spring 13 is anchored to a suitable point (not shown)on the plate 21. Through the gear wheel 22, the spring wheel 20 drivesthe minutes shaft 23 onwhich the minute hand 4 is non-rotatably 3arranged. Secured to the spring core shaft 15 is a driving wheel 24which drives the hour wheel 14 and the hour hand rigidly connected withthe latter. The correct setting of the hour hand relative to the springcore shaft is effected by the grub screw 25 by which the driving wheel24 is secured on the shaft 19. Provided on the minutes shaft 23 betweenthe friction discs 26 and 26 arranged fast on the shaft 23 is the minutewheel 27. The minutes wheel 27 is therefore only driven by friction fromthe spring drive of the clock mechanism. By means of the wheels 28 and29 (Figure 3), the counter wheel 3% and the escapement 31, it drives thebalance indicated at 32.

The following constructional elements serve for tensioning the switchspring 12 and also for operating the release mechanism:

The tensioning of the switch spring 12 is effected by a turning movementof the winding knob 6 before the shaft 17 which carries the knob 6 isdriven. For this purpose, the knob 6 is not secured directly to theshaft 17, but the said knob 6 is carried on a bushing 33 which itself issecured on the shaft 17 so as to be capable of turning through a certainangle amounting to about 60. A screw 34 serves to secure the windingknob 6 on the bushing 33. The bushing 33 (see Figure 5) is secured tothe shaft 17 by means of a screw 35; however, at the said position, theshaft is formed with a recess in such manner that in the rest positionof the turning knob 6, the screw 35 rests on the surface 37 of therecess in the shaft 17; if now the turning knob 6 is moved away from itsrest position, the bushing first of all travels through an angleindicated by a and amounting to about 60 until the screw 35 takes up aposition on the surface 37' and now the shaft 17 is driven by theturning move ment of the knob 6. Rigidly connected with the bushing 33is a cam disc 36, which effects the tensioning of the switch spring 12in a manner to be more fully explained.

A spring 38 is also provided in the bore of the bushing 33. This springis secured at one of its ends to the bushing 33, while it is secured atthe other end to the shaft 17 or to a pin turned on the forward end ofthe shaft. Consequently, in the rest position, the cam 36 assumes theposition shown in full lines in Figure 5; when however the time switchis wound, the turning knob 6 is first turned through the angle a againstthe action of the spring 38 before driving of the shaft 17 takes place.

The switch built into the time switch is a tumbler switch with a switcharm 39, which carries at its forward end a metal part 42 terminating intwo contact blades 40 and 41. The position of the switch arm as shown inFigure 2 is the position it assumes when the clockwork mechanism iswound, that is to say, when the time switch is running. Voltage passesthrough the wire 44 from one of the plug pins of the time switch, whichpin is shown at 7, to the contact part 43, so that therefore in theswitch position which is shown, voltage passes to the contact blade 45by way of the contacts 41 and 40 of the metal part 42; the contact blade45 is electrically connected with the plug socket 10. However, if theswitch arm 39 is moved towards the right, an electrically conductingconnection is produced through the blade contacts 41, 46 to the plugsocket 8. The plug pin '7 itself is connected by wires Stl, 51 with thetwo other plug sockets 11 and 9. 48, 49, 52, and 53 are securing nuts.It is thus seen that in the position shown in Figure 2, the circuitbetween the sockets and 11 is carrying voltage, while the pair ofsockets 8 and 9 is switched off. If the switch arm 39 is rocked towardsthe right, the circuit conditions of the pairs of sockets 10, 11 and 8,9 are reversed.

Engaging on the pin 61 on the switch arm 39 consisting of insulatingmaterial is a buckle-shaped wire spring 54 which engages in the lug 62of a steel wire 55. The wire 55 is secured by means of the screw 57 in ahole in the shaft 56. If the shaft 56 is freed in its movement by amechanism about to be described, it follows the force of 4 the switchspring 12 which engages on the wire 55. The shaft 56 is then rotatedthrough about 20, so that the wire 55 assumes the position indicated indotted lines in Figure 2. In this way, the switch arm 39 is movedtowards the right into its other switching position, as indicated by theposition of the pin 61 shown in dotted lines.

For the operation of tensioning the switch spring 12 and of the movementof the switch arm into the position shown in Figure 2 which is carriedout therewith, as well as for releasing the shaft 56 so that it canfollow the spring 12 and throw the switch arm 39 towards the right, itis essential to have a tensioning and release mechanism. The main partsof this mechanism are: the cam wheel 36 (Figures 3 to 5), the wire loop58 secured to the shaft 56 and equipped with a small spring mechanism61, 63 and 63' and also a latching lever 16.

The wire loop 58 is also secured in a hole in the shaft 56; it is sobent that it projects through the slot 60 to the front side of the plate59. Here it carries an angle member 61 which can be displaced withrespect to the sleeve 63' under the action of the spring 63. A lockingmember 16 with an angular lug 67 is provided on the front side of theplate 59 and is urged into the position shown in Figure 3 by means of aspring 65 which is secured by means of a screw 64. In Figure 3, thelocking member 16 is partly covered by the hour wheel 14 mounted infront thereof.

A thin plate of insulating material is provided so that the currentconducting wires from the plug pins cannot cause any short-circuit withthe metal parts of the clock mechanism. 69 represents the securingscrews of the plate 59. The two halves of the switch casing are heldtogether by two screws 70.

The operation of the time switch constructed in ac cordance with theinvention, and as described, is as follows:

If the winding knob 6 is turned from its rest position, the cam disc 36bears against the bent end 66 of the angle member 61 and thus the wireloop 58 displaces the locking member 16 in an upward direction so thatthe said wire loop 58 is positioned with its front end behind the lug 67of the locking lever and is held in the position shown in Figure 3. Bythis means, the operation of tensioning the switch spring 12 isterminated. With further rotation of the winding knob 6, the anglemember 61 is then slightly displaced upwardly so that the cam- 36 can berotated past the said member 61.

With the rotation of the knob 6 in a clockwise direction, the shaft 17is also driven when the screw 35 abuts on the surface 37' and thus theclockwork spring is wound. At the same time, the hands are turned in aclockwise direction until they indicate on the dial plate the number ofhours and minutes which is selected as the running time up to theinitiation of the switching operation. If the time switch is then set inoperation, the hands are rotated back in a direction opposite to theusual turning direction of clock hands and thus indicate at any instantthe number of hours and minutes on the normally constructed dial platewhich have still to elapse before the initiation of the switchingoperation. During the running down of the clock mechanism, the windingknob 6 therefore also rotates back in a direction opposite to the normalturning direction of the hands of a clock. Whereas during the winding ofthe clock mechanism, the frictional coupling of the minutes wheel withthe friction disc 26, 26 is overcome by the winding torque, the saidfriction clutch is operative during the running-down of the clockmechanism and thus the running down is controlled by the oscillations ofthe balance 32.

The releasing operation is completed by the pin 15 arranged on the hourwheel 14 pushing the locking lever 16 at the relevant instant in timeinto the position shown in Figure 4. By this means, the wire loop 58 isfreed from the lug 67 of the locking lever 16 so that the shaft 56 cangive effect to the tensile force of the spring 12,

estates which results in the switch arm 39 being thrown into the otherswitching position.

The differences as compared with an otherwise customary time switchmechanism comprise the following; The shaft 17 which carries the windingknob 6, the spring core 19 rotating backwardly under the action of thespring force of the tension spring 13 and the hands 4, 5 are rigidlycoupled together. A friction clutch is arranged between the minutesshaft and the gear train which consists of the gear wheels 28, 29, therunning wheel 30, the escapement 31 and the balance 32. This frictionclutch is overcome during the winding operation by the torque exerted bythe winding knob 6 One end of the clockwork spring 13 is secured to themechanism plate 21 of the time switch.

A further constructional example of the invention is shown in Figures 6to 14:

Connected with the setting knob 101 is the gearing 102, 103 and thepinion 104 (Figure 12). The pinion 104 is mounted with friction on theshaft 105, the friction being effected by the spring 106. The wheel 107is connected fast with the shaft 105, and the shaft 108 is constructedat 108:: as a spring core for a tension spring (not shown). With thesetting of the time switch by the knob 101 or during the turning of thewheel 103, the tension spring is not tensioned. During the running down,the pinion 104 and the wheel 107 are driven by the tension spring by wayof the wheel 103. Engaging with the wheel 107, which corresponds to theminute wheel (the shaft 105 makes one revolution in an hour), is theclock mechanism or the speed governor.- Also secured on the shaft 108 isa pinion 108i) externally of the mechanism plates. The pinion 108]:meshes with an hour wheel and rigidly connected with the latter is thebush 110 which is mounted freely on the shaft 105. The wheel 109completes one revolution in 12 hours. Fitted on the squared end 105a ofthe shaft 105 is the minute hand and the hour hand is on the bush 110;(neither hand is shown).

When the setting knob 101 is turned, the hands arranged on the parts105a and 110 are turned simultaneously with the tensioning of thedriving spring arranged on the spring core 108a and can be adjusted tothe desired switching time. The hands do not indicate any clock time,but the desired running time of the switch or the switching period inhours and minutes. The maximum switching period is therefore 12 hours.The switching period can also be extended to 24 hours if the reductionratio from the wheel 109 and pinion is doubled.

Arranged on the wheel 109 is a stud 10911. By means of this stud and acam disc 112 fitted on the bush 111, the contact mechanism is tensionedsimultaneously with the setting of the hands. Located on the rear sideof the clock mechanism are the elements of the switching means, namely,the switch roller 113 and also the tensioning lever 114, the switch arm115, the locking lever 116, the spring support 117 and the springs 118and 119 of the switch. Cooperating with the switch roller 113 are thecontact studs 120, 121, 122 and 123, together with coupling pins 120a,121a, 122a and 123a.

Arranged on the front of the mechanism are the stop device 124 withtension spring 125, the lever arm 126 and the cam disc 112 with ayieldable spring 127.

The bush 111 is rigidly connected with the shaft or pinion 102 by ascrew 128. The setting knob 101 is merely connected with the bush 111 byfriction. The frictional force is supplied by a pretensioned spring 129.The friction is such that the tensioning of the lever is reliablyeffected, but the knob 101 slides on the bush 111 with relatively strongapplication of force in the end positrons.

Mounted between the mechanism plates is a shaft 130. Rigidly connectedwith this shaft is the lever arm 126 and the tensioning lever 114. Thetensioning lever 114 is fitted on a square portion 130a of the shaft130.

ill)

The cam disc 112 is not connected fast with the bush 111 on which it isfitted, but it can not rotate arbitrarily thereon; it can only turnthrough a small distance. For this purpose, the cam disc 112 is mountedon the bush 111 by means of a pin 111a (Figures 7 and 9). The cam disc112 is also formed with an elongated hole 112a; a turning moment in aclockwise direction is imparted to the disc 112 by a wire spring 127(see Figure 7).

If the cam disc 112 is not in contact with the lever arm 126, the latterassumes the position shown in Figure 7. However, as soon as the cam discupon tensioning, that is, with the turning of the setting knob 101 in aclockwise direction (Figure 9), comes into contact with the arm 126, thelatter is moved into the position shown in Figure 9. If the cam disc 112upon tensioning, e. upon turning the setting knob 101 in a clockwisedirection, comes into contact with the lifting arm 126, it is rocked ina counter-clockwise direction corresponding to the play in the oblongaperture 112a owing to the pin mounting Which has just been described,and thereby comes into deeper engagement with the lifting arm. This isnecessary, since the mounting of the arm 126 on the shaft 130 is lowerthan the mounting of the setting knob 101. In the extreme liftingposition of the lifting arm 126, that is to say, when the stop lever idisposed behind the projection 1260 of the lifting arm 126, the cam disc112 is still reliably engaged with the lifting arm 126 due to thisyieldability. Figure 9 illustrates the instant of tensio-ning; it ispossible to see the lifting of the stop lever 124 by the tensioninglever 126.

The left end of the spring 119 is suspended in a fixed spring support117. A slot 136 is arranged .in a fixed part in order to limit the endpositions of the pin 135.

The switch roller 113 consists of insulating material. Arranged on theswitch roller 113 is a cover plate 113a, which is also of insulatingmaterial. The switch roller 113 and the plate 113a are held together bythe threaded pin and a screw 140. The switch roller 113 is mounted on apost 141 and is secured by a screw 142. The spring contact arm 136 islet into the switch roller 113 and comprises a resilient contact arm136a at its opposite end. The resilient contact arm 137 is also let intothe switch roller 113 and has at its opposite end a resilient contactarm 137a. Secured to the contact part 136 by means of a rivet 143 is aspring 144. Secured to the contact part 137 by means of a .rivet 145 isa spring 146. The springs 144 and 146 are bent over twice at their ends(Figure 12).

The springs which are bent over twice (for example the spring 144), bearon the pin-like end 148a of the plug pin 148 which is rivetted in thecasing 147. A plug pin is also associated with the spring 146. The twoplug pins have a standard spacing so that they can be intrdouced intosockets. The springs 144 and 146 are made so wide and so long that theyalways bear resiliently on the pin ends for example pin end 148a, thatis to say, in the tensioned position and in the release position.

Figures 13 and 14 show a further constructional form of the switchroller. Arranged in the switch roller 200 are springs 136136a and137137a and merely rivetted therein by means of rivets 143 and 145 aredifferently shaped springs 149 and 150. The springs 149 and 150 areformed at their ends with curved portions 149a and 14912 and 150a and15%. In this case there are also employed plug pins (151, 152) similarto plug pins 148, but the pins 151a, 152a are made longer.

The pins 151a and 152a are not constantly connected with the contactparts of the switch roller 200, but only in the end positions, that isto say, in the ready position and in the switched-off position.-

The operation of the time switch according to the invention will now beexplained: 1 1

In Figure 7, the untensioned position is shown; Upon setting or turningthe knob 101 in a clockwise direction,

the cam disc 112 must first of all be turned through a certain angleuntil the projection 11% comes into engagement with the lifting arm 126.During this movement, however, the wheel 109 with the pin 109a issimultaneously turned in a clockwise direction and the stop lever 124 isturned by the force of the spring 125 in a clockwise direction until itbears against the stop 132 at the opposite end of the slot 12412. Withthe lifting of the lifting arm 126 by the cam 112 (Figure 9), the stoplever 124 can yield in a counter-clockwise direction and then snaps backagain into the original stop position under the action of the spring 125after a lifting movement is completed (Figure 11). The range of the handadjustment up to this position, that is to say, until the stop lever 124snaps back, is about 30 minutes, i. e, the shortest time setting for thetime switch is in this case about 30 minutes. By suitable shaping ortransmission ratio of the lever, the shortest setting time could also bebrought to a shorter period of time, for example, 20 minutes.

After the stop lever 124 ha snapped back, i. e. when the lifting arm 126has fully raised the stop lever 124, the lifting arm can be additionallyrotated a considerable amount with the continued rotation of the settingknob 101 until the projection 1121) of the cam 112 can drop down on theedge 12615 of the lifting arm 126. After the cam 112 with its projection11% has been released from the edge 1261) of the lifting arm 126, itsprings under the action of the spring 127 back into its originalposition again (Figures 7 and 11). If now the knob 101 is rotatedfurther in a clockwise direction by several revolutions with longrunning times (Figure 11), the projection 1121) of the cam disc 112 nolonger comes into contact with the lifting arm 126.

It is only after the release of the lifting arm 126 and when the latterhas again reached the position shown in Figure 7 that it is possible,with a fresh setting, i. e. when the cam disc 112 is turned in aclockwise direction, that the projection 1121; can come into engagementwith the arm 126 again, as previously explained.

With the tensioning of the lifting arm 126, the contact mechanismarranged on the rear side of the clock mechanism is also tensioned, andthe said contact mechanism is released when the lifting arm 126 drops.

In Figure 6, the contact mechanism is shown in the relieved position,that is to say the released position. The springs 118 and 119 arerelieved of tension and the switch roller has been swung in acounter-clockwise direction with the release. The lifting arm 126 thenassumes the position referred to above and shown in Figure 7. Thelocking lever 116 is urged by a bar spring 133 against a stop 134.

Upon setting the time switch by the setting knob 101 and tensioning thelifting arm 126, the tensioning lever 114 is simultaneously turned in acounter-clockwise direction (Figure 8). Since the switch lever 115 is atfirst still held by the locking lever 116, it cannot be rotatedtherewith. Arranged on the tensioning lever 114- is a cam 114a. Shortlybefore completion of the tensioning operation, the locking lever 116 islifted to such an extent by the cam 114a that it releases the switchlever 115. By the tensioning of the tensioning lever 114, the springs118 and 119 are compressed, so that the released switch lever 115 issuddenly rocked in a counter-clockwise direction; (Figure 8 shows theposition of the parts shortly before release). A driver pin 135 on theswitch roller 113 is guided in a fork shaped slot 115a of the switchlever 115. With the sudden release of the switch lever 115, the switchroller 113 is suddenly turned in a counter-clockwise direction.

The mutual positions of the operating parts of the switch mechanismafter the release of the switch lever 115 are shown in Figure 10. Inthis position, the contact springs 136 and 137 are in contact with thecontact 8 studs 122 and 123 and the contact springs 138 and 139 arelifted from the contact studs and 121.

By the release of the switch lever 115, the previously tensioned spring118 is relieved of tension. On the other band, the spring 119 remainstensioned as before. With the running down of the clock mechanism andwith the final release, that is to say, when the lifting arm 126 isfreed from the stop lever 124, the tensioning lever 114 of the tensionedspring 119 is suddenly swung in a clockwise direction (Figure 10). Thusthe switch roller 113 is turned in a counter-clockwise direction, inthat the pin 135, which may be constructed for example as a threadedpin, is guided by the projection 1141:. At the same time, the switchlever 115 which is coupled with the pin and the spring of which isrelieved, is also turned; (The release position is shown in Figure 6).

The release is effected by the fact that the pin 109a arranged on thehour wheel 109 (the wheel 109 is moved in a counter-clockwise directionduring the runningdown) briefly lifts the stop lever 124 at theprojection 124a, whereupon the lever 126 driven by the springs 118, 119in a counter-clockwise direction (Figure 7) drops on to a fixed stop 131which may, for example, be bent out of the front plate. Shortly afterthe dropping of the lifting arm 126 and further lifting of the stoplever 124 by the pin or stud 1090, the continued turning of the stoplever 124 and the further running down of the clock mechanism is limitedby a fixed stop 132 on the front plate; the stop 132 projects into theslot 124!) of the lever 124.

Between the falling of the lifting arm 126 and the stopping of the lever124 at the stop 132, there is only a very limited lost motion, that isto say, only sufhcient for the lever 126 to be reliably released. Uponthe r dropping of the lever 126, the hour hand and minute hand are inthe zero position so that they therefore indicate the switching time 0and the minute hand will continue to run for only a few minutes in acounterclockwise direction owing to the lost motion until the stoppingof the clockwork mechanism.

In Figure 13, the switch roller is shown in the ready position, i. e. inthe tensioned position. In this case, the pin 151a is in contact withthe contact spring a and the pin 152a with the contact spring 14%. Inthe release position (not shown) the pin 151a is in contact with thespring 149a and the pin 152a with the spring 15%. It is to be noted thatthe plug pins 151, 152 and 151a, 152a are rigidly rivetted in the casing(not shown). According to whether the plugs of the appliance isintroduced into the coupling studs 120a and 121a or into the couplingstuds 122a and 123a, it is possible to arrange that the appliance isswitched on or off upon initiation of the contact.

In Figure 6 the switch device is shown in the released position. If theplug of the appliance in this case has been introduced into the couplingpins 120a and 121a, the appliance has been switched on when the switchdevice is released, for current is supplied to the coupling pins 120aand 121a by way of the contact parts 13651-144 and 137a-146 or by way ofthe plug pins or plug. On the other hand, if the plug of the appliance(see Figure 6) is introduced into the coupling pins 122a, 123a, theappliance is switched off in the released position of the switchmechanism, since the contact parts 136137 have been lifted from thecontact studs 122123. The same is the case with the construction of theswitch roller according to Figures 13 and 14.

We claim:

1. An electric time switch comprising a spring driven time mechanismhaving a driving spring, a toggle switch, time controlled tripping meansfor effecting a switching operation of said toggle switch, a singleactuating member both for setting the time of operation of the timemechanism and for tensioning the driving spring of the time mechanism, aspring arbor for the said driving spring carrying a gear meshing with apinion on a shaft and a hand on the shaft indicating the time setting ofthe time mechanism, a minute wheel frictionally mounted on the saidshaft and being in engagement with the gear train of the timing deviceof the time mechanism, two springs associated with the toggle switch, aswitching lever connected with the toggle switch and, provided under theforce of one of the two springs, and operatively connected to the timecontrolled tripping means, means connected to the actuating member forshifting the switching lever of the toggle switch into a positiontensioning the said spring and looking it therein, means for trippingthe said locking means after expiration of the set time upon action ofthe said time controlled tripping means, said means connected to theactuating member for shifting the switching lever of the toggle switchinto its locked position in the very first part of the time setting anddriving spring tensioning operation, the other of the two springs of thetoggle switch being adapted to be tensioned during the beginning of thetime setting operation and to cause a quick change of the switchingposition of the toggle switch when the switching lever of the toggle isshifted into its position of locked engagement with the time controlledtripping means.

2. An electric time switch comprising a spring driven time mechanismhaving a driving spring, a toggle switch, time controlled tripping meansfor eflecting a switching operation of said toggle switch, a singleactuating member for setting the time of operation of the time mechanismand for tensioning the driving spring of the time mechanism, a springarbor for the said driving spring carrying a gear meshing with a pinionon a shaft and a hand on the shaft indicating the time setting of thetime mechanism, the actuating member being in the form of a turning knobmounted on an axle carrying a pinion meshing with the gear of the springarbor, a minute wheel frictionally mounted on the said shaft and beingin engagement with the gear train of the timing device of the timemechanism, a pair of springs associated with the toggle switch, aswitching lever connected with the toggle switch and, provided under theforce of one of the two springs, and operatively connected to the timecontrolled tripping means, means connected to the actuating member forshifting the switching lever of the toggle switch into a positiontensioning the said spring and locking it therein, means for trippingthe said locking means after expiration of the set time upon action ofthe said time controlled tripping means, said means connected to theaxle of the turning knob for shifting the switching lever of the toggleswitch into its locked position in the first part of the time settingand driving spring tensioning operation, the other of the pair ofsprings of the toggle switch being adapted to be tensioned during thebeginning of the time setting operation and to cause a quick change ofthe switching position of the toggle switch when the switching lever ofthe toggle is shifted into its position of locked engagement with thetime controlled tripping means.

3. An electric time switch comprising a spring driven time mechanism, atoggle switch, time controlled tripping means for effecting a switchingoperation of said toggle switch, a single actuating member for settingthe time of operation of the time mechanism and for tensioning thedriving spring of the time mechanism, a spring arbor for the saiddriving spring carrying a gear meshing with a pinion on a shaft and ahand on the shaft indicating the time setting of the time mechanism, theactuating member being a turning knob mounted on an axle carrying apinion meshing with a gear of the spring arbor, a minute wheelfrictionally mounted on the said shaft and being in engagement with thegear train of the timing device of the time mechanism, a pair of springsassociated with the toggle switch, a switching lever connected with thetoggle switch and provided under the force of one of the two springs,and operatively connected to the time controlled tripping means, meansconnected to the actuating member for shifting the switching lever ofthe toggle switch into a position tensioning the said spring and lookingit therein, means for tripping the said locking means after expirationof the set time upon action of the said time controlled tripping means,said means connected to the axle of the turning knob for shifting theswitching lever of the toggle switch into its locked position in thevery first part of the time setting and driving spring tensioningoperation, a spiral shaped cam with a steep abutting shoulder mounted onthe axle of the actuating turning knob, said cam acting as a means forshifting the switching lever of the toggle switch into its lockedposition in the very first part of the time setting and driving springtensioning operation, spring controlled abutting member operativelyconnected to the switching lever for abutting against the shoulder ofthe spiral cam in the spring distensioning sense of rotation of theturning knob, the other spring of the toggle switch being adapted to betensioned during the beginning of the time setting operation and tocause a quick change of the switching position of the toggle switch whenthe switching lever of the toggle is shifted into its position of lockedengagement with the time controlled tripping means.

4. An electric time switch comprising a spring driven time mechanism, atoggle switch, time controlled tripping means for efiecting a switchingoperation of said toggle switch, a single actuating member for settingthe time of operation of the time mechanism and for tensioning thedriving spring of the time mechanism, a spring arbor for the saiddriving spring carrying a gear meshing with a pinion on a shaft and ahand on the shaft indicating the time setting of the time mechanism, theactuating member being a turning knob, an axle carrying a pinion meshingwith a gear mounted on the spring arbor,,the turning knob being mountedon a tubular member, and said tubular member presenting a lost motioncoupling with the axle carrying the pinion under action of a resilientlyacting spring, a minute wheel frictionally mounted on the said shaft andbeing in engagement with the gear train of the timing device of the timemechanism, a pair of springs associated with the toggle switch, aswitching lever connected with the toggle switch and provided under theforce of one of the two springs, and operatively connected to the timecontrolled tripping means, means connected to the actuating member forshifting the switching lever of the toggle switch into a positiontensioning the said spring and locking it therein, means for trippingthe said locking means after expiration of the set time upon action ofthe said time controlled tripping means, said means connected to theaxle of the turning knob for shifting the switching lever of the toggleswitch into its locked position in the first part of the time settingand driving spring tensioning operation, a spiral shaped cam with asteep shoulder mounted on said tubular member acting as a means forshifting the switching lever of the toggle switch into its lockedposition in the first part of the actuation of the turning knob, theswitching lever of the toggle switch carrying a spring slide abuttingmember operatively connected to the switching lever for abutting againstthe shoulder of the spiral cam in the spring distensioning sense ofrotation of the turning knob and the other of the pair of springs of thetoggle switch being adapted to be tensioned during the beginning of thetime setting operation and to cause a quick change of the switchingposition of the toggle switch when the switching lever of the toggle isshifted into its, position of locked engagement with the time controlledtripping means.

5. An electric time switch according to claim 1, in which two pairs ofplug pin sockets are provided and the toggle switch in one of itspositions effects the connection of one or the pairs of sockets and inits other switching position the connection of the other socket.

6. An electric time switch comprising a spring driven time mechanism, atoggle switch, time controlled tripping means for effecting a switchingoperation of said toggle switch,, asingle actuating member for settingthe time of operation of the time mechanism and for tensioning thedriving spring of the time mechanism, a spring arbor for the saiddriving spring carrying a gear meshing with a pinion on a shaft and ahand on the shaft indicating the time setting of the time mechanism, theactuating member being a turning knob mounted on an axle carrying apinion meshing with a gear'of the spring arbor, a minute wheelfrictionally mounted on the said shaft and being in engagement with thegear train of the timing device of the time mechanism, a pair of springsassociated with the toggle switch, a switching lever connected with thetoggle switch and provided under the force of one of the two springs,and operatively connected to the time controlled tripping means, meansconnected to the actuating member for shifting the switching lever ofthe toggle switch into a position tensioning the said spring and lockingit therein, means for tripping the said locking means after expirationof the set time upon action of the said time controlled tripping means,said means connected to the axle of the turning knob for shifting theswitching lever of the toggle switch into its locked position in thefirst part of the time setting and driving spring tensioning operation,a spiral shaped cam with a steep abutting shoulder mounted on the axleof the actuating turning knob, said cam acting as a means for shiftingthe switching lever of the toggle switch into its locked position in thefirst part of the time setting and driving spring tensioning operation,said cam being mounted oscillatable to a limited extent on the said axleof the turning knob in a plane transverse to the axle, the cam beingcontrolled as to its oscillatory movement by a spring so that anabutment of the shoulder of the cam with an abutting shoulder of theswitching lever of the toggle switch is secured only in the springtensioning direction of rotation of the turning knob, but free rotationof the latter being permitted in the opposite direction, the other ofthe pair of springs of the toggle switch being adapted to be tensionedduring the beginning of the time setting operation and to cause a quickchange of the switching position of the toggle switch when the switchinglever of the toggle is shifted into its position of locked engagementwith the time controlled tripping means.

7. An electric timeswitch according to claim 6, in which the toggleswitch is'of the roller switch type, the switching lever being mountedon a shaft carrying a fixed and a rotatably mounted actuating togglelever, both of said levers being interconnected by the second toggleswitch spring, the fixed toggle switch lever being tripped by the timecontrolled switching means and performing the time controlled electricswitching action and the rotatably mounted toggle lever being tripped bya tripping means provided on the shaft actuating by the switching leverand performing the shifting of the switch into the position set forperforming the time controlled electric switching action.

8. An electrical time switch according to claim 6, in which the toggleswitch is of the roller switch type, the switching lever being mountedon a shaft carrying a fixed and a rotatably mounted actuating togglelever, both of said levers being interconnected by the second toggleswitch spring, the fixed toggle switch. lever being tripped by the timecontrolled switching means and performing the time controlled electricswitching action and the rotatably mounted toggle lever being tripped bya tripping means provided on the shaft actuating by the switching leverand performing the shifting of the switch into the position set forperforming the time controlled electric switching action, and in which aspring controlled click is providcdfor locking the rotatably mountedlever in its initial position during the first part of the turningoperation of the turning knob until upon rotation of the fixedly mountedlever thesaid click is engaged by a cam of the said lever and istripped, whereby the rotatably mounted lever is released.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS659,766 Robertson Oct. 16, 1900 1,265,933 Mapel May 14, 1918 1,619,777Zorgo Mar. 1, 1927 2,090,540 Marzo Aug. 17, 1937

